Stellar cluster and star-forming region M 17 (annotated)
Three-colour composite of the sky region of M 17, a H II region excited by a cluster of young, hot stars. A large silhouette disc has been found to the south-west of the cluster centre. The present image was obtained with the ISAAC near-infrared instrument at the 8.2-m VLT ANTU telescope at Paranal. The orientation and the scale at the distance of M 17 (7,000 light-years) are indicated, and the main regions are identified.
Credit:ESO
About the Image
| Id: | eso0416b |
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | 12 May 2004 |
| Related releases: | eso0416 |
| Size: | 773 x 772 px |
About the Object
| Name: | Messier 17, Omega Nebula |
| Type: | Milky Way : Nebula : Appearance : Emission : H II Region Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Star Formation |
| Distance: | 5500 light years |
| Constellation: | Sagittarius |
| Category: | Star Clusters |
Wallpapers
Coordinates
| Position (RA): | 18 20 47.06 |
| Position (Dec): | -16° 10' 19.25" |
| Field of view: | 6.03 x 6.02 arcminutes |
| Orientation: | North is 0.1° left of vertical |
View in WorldWide Telescope:
Colours & filters
| Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
|---|---|---|
| Infrared J | 1.25 μm | Very Large Telescope ISAAC |
| Infrared H | 1.6 μm | Very Large Telescope ISAAC |
| Infrared K | 2.2 μm | Very Large Telescope ISAAC |